Belgrade man lucky to be alive after falling asleep at wheel, police say

FAYETTE, Maine — A Belgrade man is lucky to be alive Thursday after a one-vehicle accident on Route 17, according to police.

Joshua Godleski, 20, was headed westbound en route to work when he fell asleep at the wheel, according to State Police Trooper Sean Kinney.

Godleski’s Subaru Legacy left the roadway and struck a boulder and a couple trees before spinning around, Kinney said. Godleski, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected and pinned underneath.

“He’s incredibly lucky it’s not a fatality,” Kinney said.

Rescue crews from Readfield, Winthrop and Fayette were able to free Godleski from underneath his vehicle, Kinney said. He was taken by ambulance to a nearby field and airlifted to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.

Godleski is expected to recover from his injuries, Kinney said.

“If you can escape without life threatening injuries, everything worked out pretty well,” he said.

Kinney said speed was not a factor in the accident. Godleski’s vehicle was totaled.